Omaha daily bee., 1887-07-01
PUlLMAN'S PUNCH-MlxER.
An Incident at the Grand Pacific
"a. B. 81, Gold ReceptiOn.

"a. Is. 81 COld keCeptlOn.
Chicago Herald: A familiar char
acter in front. of the counter
in the Office of the Grand Pacific
sleeping car magnate. HIS portly form
gives him the appearance of pompous
dignity itself and many an awe-struck
granger has the rotund form pointed out
to him as the man whose ingenuity is
said to have devised the first dormtory
on wheels. But even with the most ex-
cellent and dignified of men there come
moments when dignity is impossible. So
it was a few evenings since with Pull
man. In hot weather nearly every one
has fayorite beverage, and Pullman is
no exception to the rule. If A. b. has a
fondness for one decoction more than
another, glib takers say, it is for milk
punch, and when he. can induce a friend
to declare IN favor of the same beverage
he is delighted beyond expression. Not
long since he invited friend to step up
to the highly polished Grand Pacific rose.
wood over which several white-aprOned
attendants preside, and ordered for two
milk punches for twoW sang out the
magnate's brother, and an attendant
fastened to prepare the drink. When 1t
was ready Pullman threw down a quar-
ter in payment
"Twenty-tive cents more" mildly sug-
gested the attendant, whose smooth,
clerical face fairly beamed with aflibllity.
ITS a quarter a drink
Not much, responded Pullman; 'it's
two for q quarter. l know this house. 4"
That's all right, but l can't 60 back
of the price list"
"l'll report yOu.'
Cant help that; two punches so
ccnts'
Reluctantly Pullman paid the price, it
is SAID, and went straight TO Innkeeper
John Drake, who consoled him and
soothed him and rubbed the ruilled fur
the right way. The fact that the report
had been made to Mr.. Drake reached the
bartender's ears. He was greatly in.
censed, and for day or two his POM
padour stood up like quills on the back
of fretful pOrcupine. For n time, it is
said, Pullman made himself scarce, and
did not show up again till Saturday,
when he once more confronted his friend,
the punch-miXer.
You're nice man. What did you
want to report me TO Drake for? I've q
mind to smash your shouted the man in
the apron, becoming red in the face and
at the same time making threatening
gesture.
Say nothing to me, SIR" replied the
heavy man; 81 do not wish you to speak
to me: | have nothing to do with you
and let Jimmy come up here to make my
punch. don't quarrel with your kind.
can have you discharged if want to-"
While this speech was being formu-
lated and delivered, the tall slender man
behind the bar against whom the re-
marks were directed, permitted the fiery
color of his cheek to deepen and his
anger to get the best of him. STOPPING
down he picked up from hehlnd the bar a
heavy piece of ice and with all his farce
hurled it al the head of Pullman. 1t
struck the shoulders of the big man, for.
tunately not hurting him, but frightening
him very much. 1t is said he made bee
line for the Union League club and did
not stop till he got there, out of breath.
The Irate bar attendant, without cere-
mony, packed up his chattels and re-
signed his place without waiting to be
discharged. For day or two Mr.. Pull
mans form was not as conspicuous as he
was wont to make 1t, and the habitues of
the hotel attribute his absence to the cold,
cruel reception given him by the irate-
apron-wearer.